During 1937 the Baldan Baraivan Monastery of Mongolia was destroyed by communist forces. Once the third most important monastery in Mongolia, Baldan Baraivan was reduced to ruins. The monks and lamas practicing there were forced into military service, imprisoned in Siberian work camps or slaughtered at the site.

Democracy returned to Mongolia in 1990, and with it a renewed interest in Buddhism.

Mongolia's poor economy has made it difficult for the Buddhist community to restore many of its most important holy sites. The Cultural Restoration Tourism Project brings volunteers from all over the world to aid in the restoration of the main temple at Baldan Baraivan. Volunteers live in gers, the traditional housing of Mongolian nomads, and work side-by-side with the Mongolian crew assembled to restore the monastery.

Please visit our website: http://home.earthlink.net/~crtp/

For more information about how you can help, contact:

The Cultural Restoration Tourism Project

722a Liggett Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94129

(415) 563-7221

or e-mail Mark Hintzke at: [email protected] ä_æ